Assisted Living

Options for Senior Living

When you’re unable to live alone or with a family member, an assisted living community is a great option. These communities are professionally staffed and can provide different levels of care, depending on specific needs. “We all hope to live in our homes for as long as possible,” said Sara Welch of Heritage Place of Boerne, a local senior living community. “At some point, you may decide that isn’t a safe option. If you or a loved one is considering senior living, just about to move in, or has just made the transition, having more information and resources can help.”

“It is so important to visit the different options in your community so you can get a sense of each place, what they offer, and what the atmosphere is like so you can decide if it’s the right fit for you or your loved one,” Welch said.

Heritage Place offers a resource guide available at www.fivestarseniorliving.com to help fill any information gaps, or you may contact Welch directly by calling (830) 249-9817. According to the Texas Health & Human Services Commission, assisted living communities serve seniors who require assistance with everyday activities such as meal preparation, medication management, transportation and personal care. They feature amenities, services and care in a residential setting with the comforts of home. The staff is available 24/7 to assist residents.

Services offered often include dining, housekeeping, transportation, laundry service, wellness and fitness programs, social and recreational activities, help with dressing, bathing and grooming. Residents often utilize outside services as well. Visiting assisted living communities and meeting the staff and residents is a great way to learn more. Argentum, an association for professionally managed senior living communities in the U.S., has developed a checklist to help when selecting an assisted living community. A partial list follows:

• Do you like its location and outward appearance? • Is the décor attractive and homelike? • Are staff members appropriately dressed, personal and outgoing? • Do the staff members treat each other in a professional manner? • Are handrails available to aid in walking? • Are cabinets and shelves easy to reach? • Are floors of a non-skid material and carpets firm to ease walking? • Does the community have good natural and artificial lighting? • Is the community clean and appropriately heated and cooled? • Is a consumer disclosure form available, including move-in and move-out provisions? • Is a residency agreement available for review before move-in? • What are your COVID-19 policies? • Is there a process for accessing a resident’s need for services on a periodic basis? • Does the process include the

resident, their family, staff and the resident’s physician? • Are there any programs available to help cover the cost of services to the resident? • Is renters insurance required? • Is the resident’s bill of rights available for review? • What are the policies regarding medication storage and assistance? • Is there a list of care services available? • Is there a nurse on staff? • Is staff available 24/7 to assist with daily living activities? • Are housekeeping services provided in personal living spaces? • Can residents arrange for transportation on short notice? • Does the community provide scheduled transportation to doctor’s appointments, hairdresser, shopping and other activities? • Are doors lockable? Is a 24-hour

emergency response system accessible from the apartment? • Are residents available to bring their own furnishings for their apartment? • Do apartments have telephone, cable or satellite TV, and internet access? • Is the kitchen area provided with a refrigerator, sink and cooking element? • May residents keep food in their apartments? • May residents decorate their apartment? • Do dining menus vary from day to day and meal to meal? • Are special dietary needs accommodated? • Are there accommodations for residents with cognitive impairments? • Is long-term care insurance accepted? Medicaid? • Is a loved one allowed to spend the night? For more information, visit hhs.texas.gov or argentum.org.